Good News ReflectionThursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary TimeOctober 1, 2009
Today's Memorial: Saint Thérèse of the Child JesusPray for greater intimacy with God:http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/ThereseLisieux.htm
Today's Readings:Neh 8:1-12Ps 19:8-11Luke 10:1-12http://www.usccb.org/nab/100109.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_10_01.mp3
Evangelizing as lambs, not wolves
Jesus wants us all to be workers in the Lord's harvest. In today's Gospel reading, he's commissioning 72 disciples and sending them forth on evangelization missions. Notice that he's not limiting this important work to just the Top Twelve Disciples. He sent forth a large contingent of followers, and then he went on to say that there weren't enough of them.
Today he's still doing this at the end of every Mass. When the priest gives us the final blessing to send us forth, it's not really him doing it – it's Jesus himself!
Is he still saying that there aren't enough of us working this harvest?
Saint Francis of Assisi is famous for teaching that all Christians should preach the Gospel at all times, "and sometimes use words." Our lives – how we respond to crises, how we treat others, how we rely on faith when there are reasons to doubt, how we deal with suffering, how much we care about social justice and what we do about injustices within and outside our churches – are the harvesting tools that evangelize.
We are all commissioned for this mission by virtue of our baptisms. Our everyday lives either witness or fail to witness about God's true nature.
Furthermore, Jesus emphasized that we should evangelize as lambs among wolves. What is a lamb? Remember that in Christian symbolism, Jesus is THE Lamb that was slain for our sins, and yes, sometimes we too have to make difficult sacrifices in order to convey God's love. But not all of the time! Jesus was the Lamb of God before he went to the cross. He was the Lamb throughout his ministry, and he is STILL the Lamb.
Being a lamb means being like Jesus in every moment of every day in ordinary ways. The opposite is to be a wolf, one who devours the weak. We become wolves if we attack others for their weak or non-existent faith. We are wolves disguised as lambs if we try to guilt people into going to Mass or force them to obey Church laws or beat the love of God into them by nagging and harping on what is wrong about them.
Wolves tear others down. Lambs inspire faith, and faith inspires a personal relationship with Jesus, and this relationship inspires a desire to spread God's love, and this desire inspires the straying sheep to return to Mass and become active in the faith community.
Jesus also explained that when we reach out to others, we should evangelize them without carrying our personal baggage into the encounter. The baggage that we might be tempted to bring into a conversation about faith includes feelings of inferiority ("God cannot use me, I can't make a difference") and feelings of superiority ("They're bigger sinners than I am").
Before going out into the world, we need to ask: "What do I tend to bring to others that is not Christ-like?" Pray that Jesus will help you unload this baggage at the door.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
When prioritizing means change
Good News ReflectionWednesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary TimeSeptember 30, 2009
Today's Saint: Jerome Pray for deeper understanding of scripture:http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Jerome.htm
Today's Readings:Neh 2:1-8Ps 137:1-6Luke 9:57-62http://www.usccb.org/nab/093009.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_30.mp3
When prioritizing means change
We all have good reasons for not following Jesus all the way all the time. The man in today's Gospel reading, who wanted to first bury his dad, seems to have his priorities right. After all, he was obeying the commandment about honoring his parents. But we don't know if his father was even dead yet. Jesus knew that the man was just making excuses. He was procrastinating on his personal decision to change his life and become a follower of Christ.
The guy who wanted to go back home to say goodbye seems to be someone who had a strong sense of responsibility. He knew it was wrong to abandon his family. After all, he couldn't call them on the phone to let them know that he was safe and that he was not forgetting about their needs. But Jesus knew that this man felt torn between the life he had left behind and his life as a disciple; having a divided mind would make him an ineffective Christian.
The past can be a powerful master of the heart, but only God should be the master we serve.
All of our reasons for not fully committing to a direction or a service that Jesus is asking of us could be very good reasons. They can seem very logical and even holy. But if they are excuses and not vocations, we are choosing death over life. We are the dead burying the dead.
The people in this Gospel story had excellent rationale behind their buts. We can even say that until Jesus called them to follow him, they were doing exactly what God wanted them to do. Why would he change his almighty mind? Their buts seemed legitimate.
Following Christ is never a static position. It's an adventure that changes as soon as we settle down and get comfortable. God calls us away from doing one good thing to do a different good thing. The hard part is recognizing when it's time to let go of the old to start something new, especially when it makes perfect sense to keep on doing what we've been doing, and even more especially when no one else can do it quite as well as we can.
Should we answer the pastor's call for more liturgical readers, even though it means switching our schedule to a different Mass? Should we reach out to that person who could become a new friend, even though we'd have to sacrifice time that we'd normally spend with old friends? Should we turn our ministries over to someone else so that we can fill a need elsewhere?
We want to do what Jesus asks of us. If we truly trust him, we really do want to follow him wherever he leads. Choosing the right priorities is not our problem. Our struggle comes from first of all recognizing the surprise changes in God's plans.
After that, it's a matter of moving forward in the new direction. Instead of wishing that we could go back to the old, we focus on what Jesus wants us to do today, content with whatever we're doing – until God throws another curve in our path.
If you need help getting through this struggle to move in the right direction, read my e-book "Knowing God's Will and Doing It Well" (http://catholicdr.com/ebooks/GodsWill.htm).
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Saint: Jerome Pray for deeper understanding of scripture:http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Jerome.htm
Today's Readings:Neh 2:1-8Ps 137:1-6Luke 9:57-62http://www.usccb.org/nab/093009.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_30.mp3
When prioritizing means change
We all have good reasons for not following Jesus all the way all the time. The man in today's Gospel reading, who wanted to first bury his dad, seems to have his priorities right. After all, he was obeying the commandment about honoring his parents. But we don't know if his father was even dead yet. Jesus knew that the man was just making excuses. He was procrastinating on his personal decision to change his life and become a follower of Christ.
The guy who wanted to go back home to say goodbye seems to be someone who had a strong sense of responsibility. He knew it was wrong to abandon his family. After all, he couldn't call them on the phone to let them know that he was safe and that he was not forgetting about their needs. But Jesus knew that this man felt torn between the life he had left behind and his life as a disciple; having a divided mind would make him an ineffective Christian.
The past can be a powerful master of the heart, but only God should be the master we serve.
All of our reasons for not fully committing to a direction or a service that Jesus is asking of us could be very good reasons. They can seem very logical and even holy. But if they are excuses and not vocations, we are choosing death over life. We are the dead burying the dead.
The people in this Gospel story had excellent rationale behind their buts. We can even say that until Jesus called them to follow him, they were doing exactly what God wanted them to do. Why would he change his almighty mind? Their buts seemed legitimate.
Following Christ is never a static position. It's an adventure that changes as soon as we settle down and get comfortable. God calls us away from doing one good thing to do a different good thing. The hard part is recognizing when it's time to let go of the old to start something new, especially when it makes perfect sense to keep on doing what we've been doing, and even more especially when no one else can do it quite as well as we can.
Should we answer the pastor's call for more liturgical readers, even though it means switching our schedule to a different Mass? Should we reach out to that person who could become a new friend, even though we'd have to sacrifice time that we'd normally spend with old friends? Should we turn our ministries over to someone else so that we can fill a need elsewhere?
We want to do what Jesus asks of us. If we truly trust him, we really do want to follow him wherever he leads. Choosing the right priorities is not our problem. Our struggle comes from first of all recognizing the surprise changes in God's plans.
After that, it's a matter of moving forward in the new direction. Instead of wishing that we could go back to the old, we focus on what Jesus wants us to do today, content with whatever we're doing – until God throws another curve in our path.
If you need help getting through this struggle to move in the right direction, read my e-book "Knowing God's Will and Doing It Well" (http://catholicdr.com/ebooks/GodsWill.htm).
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Thursday, September 24, 2009
Who do you really say Jesus is?
Good News ReflectionFriday of the 25th Week in Ordinary TimeSeptember 25, 2009
Today's Readings:Haggai 2:1-9Ps 43:1-4 (with 5)Luke 9:18-22http://www.usccb.org/nab/092509.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_25.mp3
Who do you really say Jesus is?
We evangelize every day. Deliberately or not, consciously or not, we are evangelizers. The question is, what are we evangelizing about? What kind of Jesus are we teaching to others?
One of the most frequent ways that we evangelize about the truth is by genuinely living true faith – especially during hardships, in sight of those who are inexperienced at relying upon God. If we deal with problems without attitudes and decisions that imitate Jesus, our behavior teaches others that God is not reliable, his teachings don't matter, and he doesn't actually care.
It's not our words that evangelize; it's what our lives say. It's the message implied in our responses to everything that happens to us during the day. In today's Gospel passage, Jesus asks: "Who do YOU say that I am?" Did he mean, "Who do you SAY that I am?" as if he were more concerned about what comes out of our lips than out of our lives?
All too often, our words say one thing and our behavior another. People don't believe our words if our lives don't prove their validity. They can sense when our faith is not authentic. Young people are especially good at this. While we have them in Mass and while we have them in youth programs, the priests, liturgists, ushers and greeters, youth ministers and catechists, etc., had better be authentic in their faith and in their love. Plastic smiles that hide something unChrist-like are easily noticed by their uncanny observational skills.
The unworded interrogation is: "Who do you say Jesus is? Who is he for you? How real is he for you? Is he everything that you tell me he is? Why should I obey the teachings of the Church when you haven't bothered to see if you can get an annulment after your divorce? Why should I trust God if you tell me you pray and yet you worry so much? Why should I remain chaste with my dates after I've seen you enjoy movies and TV shows with steamy bedroom scenes?"
What young people are looking for are authentic examples of God. Teenagers and young adults are in transition, moving from childhood's unquestioning acceptance of their parents' faith into an adult ownership of their own faith. They are "chadults" – no longer children but not yet true adults until they own the responsibilities of adulthood. This stage might last many years. It's hampered by every inauthentic Christian they meet.
Good people who don't go to church are not looking for ways to reject true faith. What they're seeking is proof that the faith we preach is truly beneficial to embrace. Every person they encounter in the Church who fails to be Christ-like sends them off seeking God in other directions, if they seek him at all.
The good news is: Our repentance from sin is powerful way to show them authentic faith, and the truth of God's mercy, and a faith worth believing.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Readings:Haggai 2:1-9Ps 43:1-4 (with 5)Luke 9:18-22http://www.usccb.org/nab/092509.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_25.mp3
Who do you really say Jesus is?
We evangelize every day. Deliberately or not, consciously or not, we are evangelizers. The question is, what are we evangelizing about? What kind of Jesus are we teaching to others?
One of the most frequent ways that we evangelize about the truth is by genuinely living true faith – especially during hardships, in sight of those who are inexperienced at relying upon God. If we deal with problems without attitudes and decisions that imitate Jesus, our behavior teaches others that God is not reliable, his teachings don't matter, and he doesn't actually care.
It's not our words that evangelize; it's what our lives say. It's the message implied in our responses to everything that happens to us during the day. In today's Gospel passage, Jesus asks: "Who do YOU say that I am?" Did he mean, "Who do you SAY that I am?" as if he were more concerned about what comes out of our lips than out of our lives?
All too often, our words say one thing and our behavior another. People don't believe our words if our lives don't prove their validity. They can sense when our faith is not authentic. Young people are especially good at this. While we have them in Mass and while we have them in youth programs, the priests, liturgists, ushers and greeters, youth ministers and catechists, etc., had better be authentic in their faith and in their love. Plastic smiles that hide something unChrist-like are easily noticed by their uncanny observational skills.
The unworded interrogation is: "Who do you say Jesus is? Who is he for you? How real is he for you? Is he everything that you tell me he is? Why should I obey the teachings of the Church when you haven't bothered to see if you can get an annulment after your divorce? Why should I trust God if you tell me you pray and yet you worry so much? Why should I remain chaste with my dates after I've seen you enjoy movies and TV shows with steamy bedroom scenes?"
What young people are looking for are authentic examples of God. Teenagers and young adults are in transition, moving from childhood's unquestioning acceptance of their parents' faith into an adult ownership of their own faith. They are "chadults" – no longer children but not yet true adults until they own the responsibilities of adulthood. This stage might last many years. It's hampered by every inauthentic Christian they meet.
Good people who don't go to church are not looking for ways to reject true faith. What they're seeking is proof that the faith we preach is truly beneficial to embrace. Every person they encounter in the Church who fails to be Christ-like sends them off seeking God in other directions, if they seek him at all.
The good news is: Our repentance from sin is powerful way to show them authentic faith, and the truth of God's mercy, and a faith worth believing.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Holy curiosity
Good News ReflectionThursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary TimeSeptember 24, 2009
Today's Readings:Haggai 1:1-8Ps 149:1b-6a, 9bLuke 9:7-9http://www.usccb.org/nab/092409.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_24.mp3
Holy curiosity
In today's Gospel passage, we read about King Herod's curiosity. He wanted to meet Jesus because of all the fascinating news he had heard about this miracle-worker from Nazareth.
Sadly, meeting Jesus face to face did not change Herod's life. Why not?
Curiosity about the supernatural is a good thing. It impels us to use our God-given gifts of intelligence, creativity and imagination to find new paths for growing spiritually, new ways of helping others, new solutions to old problems, and new discoveries that improve our lives and bring us closer to God. But if we're not willing to face the challenging truths that holy curiosity invariably leads us to, we turn away from God and follow our passions into sinful or harmful predicaments.
Herod didn't want to face the truth that stared him in the face. Preferring to remain comfortable with his own perspectives and goals and attitudes, he let his curiosity about Jesus carry him only as far as it fit within his choice of lifestyle.
How many times do we look away when we hear a truth or face a reality that we don't like? Have you ever stopped asking questions because you didn't like the answers? Which is worse: doubting the truth or doubting the misconceptions that you've been living by? Doubt is good if it stirs up our curiosity AND if we have the humility to let the Holy Spirit contradict our old, familiar, comfortable ways of thinking.
When curiosity is merely fascination, it can do us more harm than good. We flit here and there, directionless, getting our egos stroked, fooling ourselves into believing that we're truth seekers while we're truth avoiders.
When curiosity leads us to the discomforts of humility, repentance, and selflessness, we can be sure that we've reached an important milestone on our journey to heaven. Will we look around for something new to enjoy? Or will we look for the wounded hand of Jesus to grab onto, even though it doesn't feel good?
To grow closer to God, we have to be curious about what needs changing within us. We have to ask new questions about ourselves and not be afraid of the answers.
There is nothing to fear, no matter what discoveries we make about our sinfulness, because Jesus is with us – the same Jesus who already died for us and nailed our sins to his cross, the same Jesus who conquered the destruction of sin. When we humbly admit our need for forgiveness, his sacrifice on the cross frees us to move into the resurrection that brings us new life. Here, we discover healing, increased love, and unexpected joy!
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Readings:Haggai 1:1-8Ps 149:1b-6a, 9bLuke 9:7-9http://www.usccb.org/nab/092409.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_24.mp3
Holy curiosity
In today's Gospel passage, we read about King Herod's curiosity. He wanted to meet Jesus because of all the fascinating news he had heard about this miracle-worker from Nazareth.
Sadly, meeting Jesus face to face did not change Herod's life. Why not?
Curiosity about the supernatural is a good thing. It impels us to use our God-given gifts of intelligence, creativity and imagination to find new paths for growing spiritually, new ways of helping others, new solutions to old problems, and new discoveries that improve our lives and bring us closer to God. But if we're not willing to face the challenging truths that holy curiosity invariably leads us to, we turn away from God and follow our passions into sinful or harmful predicaments.
Herod didn't want to face the truth that stared him in the face. Preferring to remain comfortable with his own perspectives and goals and attitudes, he let his curiosity about Jesus carry him only as far as it fit within his choice of lifestyle.
How many times do we look away when we hear a truth or face a reality that we don't like? Have you ever stopped asking questions because you didn't like the answers? Which is worse: doubting the truth or doubting the misconceptions that you've been living by? Doubt is good if it stirs up our curiosity AND if we have the humility to let the Holy Spirit contradict our old, familiar, comfortable ways of thinking.
When curiosity is merely fascination, it can do us more harm than good. We flit here and there, directionless, getting our egos stroked, fooling ourselves into believing that we're truth seekers while we're truth avoiders.
When curiosity leads us to the discomforts of humility, repentance, and selflessness, we can be sure that we've reached an important milestone on our journey to heaven. Will we look around for something new to enjoy? Or will we look for the wounded hand of Jesus to grab onto, even though it doesn't feel good?
To grow closer to God, we have to be curious about what needs changing within us. We have to ask new questions about ourselves and not be afraid of the answers.
There is nothing to fear, no matter what discoveries we make about our sinfulness, because Jesus is with us – the same Jesus who already died for us and nailed our sins to his cross, the same Jesus who conquered the destruction of sin. When we humbly admit our need for forgiveness, his sacrifice on the cross frees us to move into the resurrection that brings us new life. Here, we discover healing, increased love, and unexpected joy!
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Time to stay or move on?
Good News ReflectionWednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary TimeSeptember 23, 2009
Today's Saint: Padre PioPray for spiritual growth.The prayer from my book for this is not available online; to order the book, please go to http://gnm.org/books.htm
Today's Readings:Ezek 9:5-9Tobit 13:2-4, 7-8 (with 1b)Luke 9:1-6http://www.usccb.org/nab/092309.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_23.mp3
Time to stay or move on?
In our efforts to help others grow closer to Christ, and in our desire to change our parishes or workplaces when God's will is not being done, we don't always succeed. God's not asking us to. Sometimes, all he wants us to do is plant seeds that new people will fertilize and still others will harvest.
Look at what's frustrating you today. Do you know if God is asking you to stay or leave?
Jesus makes it clear in today's Gospel passage that first we try – it's our responsibility, our mission as members of the Body of Christ. And if the message he gives us to share is rejected, we are not supposed to keep trying. He's not telling us to be quitters; he's saying: "Don't force God and the Church upon those who are not ready to hear the truth." Forcing them is not loving them, it's diminishing them. Remember, God never forces us to do anything that he asks of us.
I'm not speaking of situations in which God has placed you in authority over others. For example, parents are called to take the children to Mass even when the kids prefer to stay home to play. Employers and pastors have a right to demand that duties are fulfilled according to what the workers were hired to do. But wherever Jesus sends us to proclaim the kingdom of God, we have to pay attention to whether or not the hearers are open to receiving the truth. If they are not, we have fulfilled our responsibility by making the truth known; now it's their responsibility to act upon it.
To discern correctly if it's time to move on, we have to ask the Holy Spirit if what we're doing has been commissioned by God or if it was our own idea. If it was God's idea, then we have to ask if this is STILL what he wants us to do.
Keep your eyes on Jesus and notice the doors of opportunity to which he leads you. See Jesus knocking on the doors of people's hearts. When a door swings open, walk through it. When a door slams shut, know that Jesus will either help you find a secret passage that will get you inside, or he will tell you to clean off the person's dirty life from your shoes and he will lead you away from there.
If the latter is true, God already has another plan in mind for that person, and if we keep banging on their door, we'll only get in the way. And if we bang harder, our hand begins to hurt, so then we beat our heads against the door and get a head-ache. This is not God's plan!
Moving on could mean literally leaving, or it could mean redirecting our efforts to other people and other ministries while we stay and quietly pray and give unconditional love. If you're not certain which you're being called to do, talk to a spiritual director or Christian counselor.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Saint: Padre PioPray for spiritual growth.The prayer from my book for this is not available online; to order the book, please go to http://gnm.org/books.htm
Today's Readings:Ezek 9:5-9Tobit 13:2-4, 7-8 (with 1b)Luke 9:1-6http://www.usccb.org/nab/092309.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_23.mp3
Time to stay or move on?
In our efforts to help others grow closer to Christ, and in our desire to change our parishes or workplaces when God's will is not being done, we don't always succeed. God's not asking us to. Sometimes, all he wants us to do is plant seeds that new people will fertilize and still others will harvest.
Look at what's frustrating you today. Do you know if God is asking you to stay or leave?
Jesus makes it clear in today's Gospel passage that first we try – it's our responsibility, our mission as members of the Body of Christ. And if the message he gives us to share is rejected, we are not supposed to keep trying. He's not telling us to be quitters; he's saying: "Don't force God and the Church upon those who are not ready to hear the truth." Forcing them is not loving them, it's diminishing them. Remember, God never forces us to do anything that he asks of us.
I'm not speaking of situations in which God has placed you in authority over others. For example, parents are called to take the children to Mass even when the kids prefer to stay home to play. Employers and pastors have a right to demand that duties are fulfilled according to what the workers were hired to do. But wherever Jesus sends us to proclaim the kingdom of God, we have to pay attention to whether or not the hearers are open to receiving the truth. If they are not, we have fulfilled our responsibility by making the truth known; now it's their responsibility to act upon it.
To discern correctly if it's time to move on, we have to ask the Holy Spirit if what we're doing has been commissioned by God or if it was our own idea. If it was God's idea, then we have to ask if this is STILL what he wants us to do.
Keep your eyes on Jesus and notice the doors of opportunity to which he leads you. See Jesus knocking on the doors of people's hearts. When a door swings open, walk through it. When a door slams shut, know that Jesus will either help you find a secret passage that will get you inside, or he will tell you to clean off the person's dirty life from your shoes and he will lead you away from there.
If the latter is true, God already has another plan in mind for that person, and if we keep banging on their door, we'll only get in the way. And if we bang harder, our hand begins to hurt, so then we beat our heads against the door and get a head-ache. This is not God's plan!
Moving on could mean literally leaving, or it could mean redirecting our efforts to other people and other ministries while we stay and quietly pray and give unconditional love. If you're not certain which you're being called to do, talk to a spiritual director or Christian counselor.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Time for action
Good News ReflectionTuesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary TimeSeptember 22, 2009
Today's Saint: MauricePray for all Church leaders with this prayer from my book:http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Maurice.htm
Today's Readings:Ezek 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20Ps 122:1-5Luke 8:19-21http://www.usccb.org/nab/092209.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_22.mp3
Time for action
The message of today's Gospel reading is short and sweet. Oh how truly sweet it is! To hear Jesus say that we are as dear to him as his own Blessed Mother and his other close relatives – this is pure delight. However, he says we're only that special to him if we're DOING the Word of God.
Jesus is explaining that it truly is possible to be part of his inner circle of closest family. This should motivate us! It makes us get off our prayer chairs and fly into action, changed by the Word of God, directed by the Word, empowered by the Word, making a difference in the world through the love that IS the Word, the love WHO is the Word made flesh.
Why do you think so many prayers of Christ's household (the Church) go unanswered? For example, at every Mass the priest prays on our behalf: "Free us from all anxiety." So, how many of us suddenly stop worrying about our problems? This prayer is only answered when we learn what the Word says about trusting God AND we act upon it.
Why is it that a parish adds the Prayer to Saint Michael ("defend us in battle") to the end of daily Mass yet remain in division or under financial attack? It's because we shouldn't be waiting on angels to do all the work for us; to overcome the enemy while the angels defend us, we have to act upon what the Word says about community and unity or stewardship and generosity.
When we pray the Rosary, what value is there in reciting, "Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy," unless we are doing evangelizing activities that reach out to lost souls to help guide them to heaven? What good is it to recite the Divine Mercy prayer, "Have mercy on us and on the whole world," if we are not doing acts of mercy to spread God's love?
Why has the decline in priesthood and religious vocations continued, even after many years of many prayers for an increase? Praying is not enough. We need to pay attention to what the Word says about our own calling to ministry – the laity as well as the ordained – and act upon it. By being joyful, passionate ministers who are motivated by a love that goes the extra mile, our attitude will inspire others to hear and respond to their own callings. Where clergy live their vocation as a pastoral ministry instead of a job and where laity are collaboratively unified with their clergy in doing the work of God's kingdom, they inspire energy for new vocations, consecrated lives, and more lay ministers.
Prayer without action is meaningless. Action without knowing the Word of God is misdirected. Hearing the Word and then acting upon it is true kinship with Christ. May we all grow as close to Jesus as his own mother. Amen!
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Saint: MauricePray for all Church leaders with this prayer from my book:http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Maurice.htm
Today's Readings:Ezek 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20Ps 122:1-5Luke 8:19-21http://www.usccb.org/nab/092209.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_22.mp3
Time for action
The message of today's Gospel reading is short and sweet. Oh how truly sweet it is! To hear Jesus say that we are as dear to him as his own Blessed Mother and his other close relatives – this is pure delight. However, he says we're only that special to him if we're DOING the Word of God.
Jesus is explaining that it truly is possible to be part of his inner circle of closest family. This should motivate us! It makes us get off our prayer chairs and fly into action, changed by the Word of God, directed by the Word, empowered by the Word, making a difference in the world through the love that IS the Word, the love WHO is the Word made flesh.
Why do you think so many prayers of Christ's household (the Church) go unanswered? For example, at every Mass the priest prays on our behalf: "Free us from all anxiety." So, how many of us suddenly stop worrying about our problems? This prayer is only answered when we learn what the Word says about trusting God AND we act upon it.
Why is it that a parish adds the Prayer to Saint Michael ("defend us in battle") to the end of daily Mass yet remain in division or under financial attack? It's because we shouldn't be waiting on angels to do all the work for us; to overcome the enemy while the angels defend us, we have to act upon what the Word says about community and unity or stewardship and generosity.
When we pray the Rosary, what value is there in reciting, "Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy," unless we are doing evangelizing activities that reach out to lost souls to help guide them to heaven? What good is it to recite the Divine Mercy prayer, "Have mercy on us and on the whole world," if we are not doing acts of mercy to spread God's love?
Why has the decline in priesthood and religious vocations continued, even after many years of many prayers for an increase? Praying is not enough. We need to pay attention to what the Word says about our own calling to ministry – the laity as well as the ordained – and act upon it. By being joyful, passionate ministers who are motivated by a love that goes the extra mile, our attitude will inspire others to hear and respond to their own callings. Where clergy live their vocation as a pastoral ministry instead of a job and where laity are collaboratively unified with their clergy in doing the work of God's kingdom, they inspire energy for new vocations, consecrated lives, and more lay ministers.
Prayer without action is meaningless. Action without knowing the Word of God is misdirected. Hearing the Word and then acting upon it is true kinship with Christ. May we all grow as close to Jesus as his own mother. Amen!
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Monday, September 21, 2009
The message of love defeats evil
Good News ReflectionMonday of the 25th Week in Ordinary TimeSeptember 21, 2009
Today's Feast: Saint Matthewhttp://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Matthew.htm
To order a printer-ready copy of today's reflection, ideal for distribution, please visit Catholic Digital Resources at http://catholicdr.com/calendar/September/Matthew.htm.
Today's Readings:Eph 4:1-7, 11-13Ps 19:2-5Matt 9:9-13http://www.usccb.org/nab/092109.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_21.mp3
The message of love defeats evil
In today's responsorial Psalm we proclaim, "Their message goes out through all the earth." The psalmist never imagined how possible that would become with today's technology. But – What IS our message in today's world, for today's needs, for today's people?
Look at what Saint Paul says in the first reading; here is the core of our message. And why is this message so important to spread throughout ALL the earth? All of today's world? Because it puts a stop to evil. It's the world's salvation. We shouldn't be waiting for the Second Coming of Christ to drive out evil. We have a message that's already driving it out! It's power to change the world comes from us, i.e., from how thoroughly we live the message.
Do you ever wonder why God "allows" evil to continue? It's not his fault.
Jesus won the battle against evil 2000 years ago when he died taking our sins to the cross and then overcame death and destruction through his resurrection. He did this because he loves us.
Today we bring that same victory into the world by "living a life worthy of our calling," treating others (ALL others) with "humility, gentleness, and patience, putting up with each other lovingly" through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, "who is the binding force of peace." This is how we defeat evil using the power of Jesus.
Sending military forces against evil leaders and terrorists can bring us some protection and eventual but temporary international calmness, but that sort of victory does not stop the evil of violence nor the demonic sources of evil. Likewise, while putting criminals in prison does stop the evil they were doing in society, it doesn't save them from their sins, nor does it cure the damage they did to others. And the death penalty certainly doesn't stop evil.
In today's Gospel reading, we see a man who deserved to be punished. And the people (and their money) needed to be protected from him. During Roman occupation, Hebrew tax collectors made a livelihood of over-taxing their own people and keeping the change. As a successful collector, Matthew was a cheater, a liar, a traitor, and a thief. Do you know any cheaters and liars? Has anyone betrayed you? Were you ever robbed?
Jesus looked past Matthew's sins and found a place in his heart where goodness still existed. If we want to conquer evil, this is where we, too, must look. Inside everyone is a precious gem, the type of person God created them to be when he made them in his own image at the moment they were conceived in their mother's womb.
For this message of love to go out through all the earth and transform it, we have to live it in our everyday lives. Every day! We have to overcome our own behaviors that work against love. We have to live out Ephesians 4 in every situation. And we have to be so good at this that we can authentically invite others to do the same.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Feast: Saint Matthewhttp://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Matthew.htm
To order a printer-ready copy of today's reflection, ideal for distribution, please visit Catholic Digital Resources at http://catholicdr.com/calendar/September/Matthew.htm.
Today's Readings:Eph 4:1-7, 11-13Ps 19:2-5Matt 9:9-13http://www.usccb.org/nab/092109.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_21.mp3
The message of love defeats evil
In today's responsorial Psalm we proclaim, "Their message goes out through all the earth." The psalmist never imagined how possible that would become with today's technology. But – What IS our message in today's world, for today's needs, for today's people?
Look at what Saint Paul says in the first reading; here is the core of our message. And why is this message so important to spread throughout ALL the earth? All of today's world? Because it puts a stop to evil. It's the world's salvation. We shouldn't be waiting for the Second Coming of Christ to drive out evil. We have a message that's already driving it out! It's power to change the world comes from us, i.e., from how thoroughly we live the message.
Do you ever wonder why God "allows" evil to continue? It's not his fault.
Jesus won the battle against evil 2000 years ago when he died taking our sins to the cross and then overcame death and destruction through his resurrection. He did this because he loves us.
Today we bring that same victory into the world by "living a life worthy of our calling," treating others (ALL others) with "humility, gentleness, and patience, putting up with each other lovingly" through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, "who is the binding force of peace." This is how we defeat evil using the power of Jesus.
Sending military forces against evil leaders and terrorists can bring us some protection and eventual but temporary international calmness, but that sort of victory does not stop the evil of violence nor the demonic sources of evil. Likewise, while putting criminals in prison does stop the evil they were doing in society, it doesn't save them from their sins, nor does it cure the damage they did to others. And the death penalty certainly doesn't stop evil.
In today's Gospel reading, we see a man who deserved to be punished. And the people (and their money) needed to be protected from him. During Roman occupation, Hebrew tax collectors made a livelihood of over-taxing their own people and keeping the change. As a successful collector, Matthew was a cheater, a liar, a traitor, and a thief. Do you know any cheaters and liars? Has anyone betrayed you? Were you ever robbed?
Jesus looked past Matthew's sins and found a place in his heart where goodness still existed. If we want to conquer evil, this is where we, too, must look. Inside everyone is a precious gem, the type of person God created them to be when he made them in his own image at the moment they were conceived in their mother's womb.
For this message of love to go out through all the earth and transform it, we have to live it in our everyday lives. Every day! We have to overcome our own behaviors that work against love. We have to live out Ephesians 4 in every situation. And we have to be so good at this that we can authentically invite others to do the same.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Good News ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: September 27, 200926th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Good News ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: September 27, 200926th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: For professionally published, printable copies of this reflection, please go to Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/September/26thB.htm - Preview a sample
Next Sunday's Readings:Num 11:25-29Ps 19:8, 10, 12-14James 5:1-6Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48http://www.usccb.org/nab/092709.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_27.mp3
Jesus says in next Sunday's Gospel reading that whoever is not against us is for us. There are many surprises in the kingdom of God, especially when dealing with people.
On the one hand, it can seem like someone is against us when really they are not. For example, if the person is speaking a truth that we don't want to hear, they seem to be our enemy while in fact they are God's chosen prophet.
At other times, people side with us but only for their own agenda; they're not interested in assisting the purposes that God has for our lives.
And sometimes we encounter people who are doing the Lord's work but not in the way that we expect them to, and so we assume that they are not doing what God wants them to do. Have you ever asked someone to pray for a certain intention and he/she prayed the opposite of what you intended?
Years ago, when my husband's company was laying off most of its employees, I asked a friend to pray for him to find a new job, but she prayed instead for the company so that he wouldn't have to leave it. My expectations were for him to find a healthier company in which to work. I didn't like her prayer, but in the end, I realized that she was the only friend who had prayed exactly what the Lord wanted!
To figure out whether someone is truly against us or is, in fact, God's instrument for us, we have to separate ourselves from the heat and frustrations of the experience and sit quietly with Jesus. After we vent to him our fears and anger and then forgive those who seem to be against us, we will be open to hearing a more divine assessment of the situation.
Even when someone truly is acting against us, when we sit quietly in prayer, seeking a word of knowledge or wisdom from the Holy Spirit, we can discover that God is for us and that's what matters most. He gives us encouragement and strength to endure any troubles.
Questions for Personal Reflection:Who is telling you something that you don't like hearing? Is it possible that the Lord is speaking through this person? Whom have you trusted that turned out to be a false friend or a bad influence which harmed your faith? Who has been an unexpected instrument of the Lord on your spiritual journey?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:When have you been startled to discover that someone who didn't seem to be "of the Lord" was really doing the Lord's work? What did the Lord accomplish through this unexpected source? What did you learn from it?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: For professionally published, printable copies of this reflection, please go to Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/September/26thB.htm - Preview a sample
Next Sunday's Readings:Num 11:25-29Ps 19:8, 10, 12-14James 5:1-6Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48http://www.usccb.org/nab/092709.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_27.mp3
Jesus says in next Sunday's Gospel reading that whoever is not against us is for us. There are many surprises in the kingdom of God, especially when dealing with people.
On the one hand, it can seem like someone is against us when really they are not. For example, if the person is speaking a truth that we don't want to hear, they seem to be our enemy while in fact they are God's chosen prophet.
At other times, people side with us but only for their own agenda; they're not interested in assisting the purposes that God has for our lives.
And sometimes we encounter people who are doing the Lord's work but not in the way that we expect them to, and so we assume that they are not doing what God wants them to do. Have you ever asked someone to pray for a certain intention and he/she prayed the opposite of what you intended?
Years ago, when my husband's company was laying off most of its employees, I asked a friend to pray for him to find a new job, but she prayed instead for the company so that he wouldn't have to leave it. My expectations were for him to find a healthier company in which to work. I didn't like her prayer, but in the end, I realized that she was the only friend who had prayed exactly what the Lord wanted!
To figure out whether someone is truly against us or is, in fact, God's instrument for us, we have to separate ourselves from the heat and frustrations of the experience and sit quietly with Jesus. After we vent to him our fears and anger and then forgive those who seem to be against us, we will be open to hearing a more divine assessment of the situation.
Even when someone truly is acting against us, when we sit quietly in prayer, seeking a word of knowledge or wisdom from the Holy Spirit, we can discover that God is for us and that's what matters most. He gives us encouragement and strength to endure any troubles.
Questions for Personal Reflection:Who is telling you something that you don't like hearing? Is it possible that the Lord is speaking through this person? Whom have you trusted that turned out to be a false friend or a bad influence which harmed your faith? Who has been an unexpected instrument of the Lord on your spiritual journey?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:When have you been startled to discover that someone who didn't seem to be "of the Lord" was really doing the Lord's work? What did the Lord accomplish through this unexpected source? What did you learn from it?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Friday, September 18, 2009
Finding true contentment
Good News ReflectionFriday of the 24th Week in Ordinary TimeSeptember 18, 2009
Today's Prayer:Please pray for my dad, who was diagnosed with cancer in the liver and is undergoing surgery today. Thank you!
Today's Readings:1 Tim 6:2c-12Ps 49:6-10, 17-20Luke 8:1-3http://www.usccb.org/nab/091809.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_18.mp3
Finding true contentment
Do you have, as today's first reading puts it, "religion with contentment"? Or are you dissatisfied with any of your religious experiences? Certainly there are reasons for discontent. There's always room for improvement in how the liturgy of Mass is provided or in how the parish offers ministry or in how the clergy and/or staff work together. Wrong-doings that we witness should make us so uncomfortable that we can't ignore them; our discontent should stir us into action to bring God's kingdom into the situation.
Being uncomfortable with what's wrong is very good. Being discontent with what's right is quite a different matter. The difference is pointed out by St. Paul. Some people use religion as a means of gain because they are not content with what God has already given them. For example, in the Church there are people who get into leadership roles in order to benefit themselves more than to serve others. Envy, rivalry, insults, and evil suspicions are typical results.
The same is true in our personal lives. If it seems like we're missing something, if there's something we long for but do not have, and if we don't turn to God to fill the void, we become driven by our unmet needs. We become self-centered and conceited. We hurt those who have what we lack, jealous of them, cutting them down because we feel inferior. We become greedy, loving money because of how we can use it to satisfy our selfish desires.
Corruption in one's thoughts – and therefore in behaviors – develops when one is deprived of the truth. The truth is: Religion with contentment is a great gain. So how do we gain contentment?
It starts with keeping our eyes on Jesus. Is he the center of our lives? Do we remain centered on him? Or have we shoved him into a magic genie lamp, rubbing him the right way only when we want to get something out of him?
What are we longing for when we feel discontent? God is our provider, but it's a partnership. If he's placed a desire in our heart, then he will satisfy our longing when we cooperate with his plans. The timing must remain in his control, the method of achieving the goal must be morally right, and the path to reach the object of our longing must increase our holiness during the journey.
Feel sorry for those who are envious, insulting, and overly suspicious, because these behaviors are signs that they don't have enough of God. What a miserable, lonely, unhappy way to exist! We can help them by showing them our Christ-centered joy. Yes, this will make them even more envious, and yes this might initially cause their corrupted hearts to respond to us unlovingly, but when we persist in turning to God for the love we need, we will have the endurance to continue giving them the love they need.
When we do that, our discontentment dissolves inside God's abundant love. We are content, not because of what others do or don't do, but because of what God has done and is doing and will do.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Prayer:Please pray for my dad, who was diagnosed with cancer in the liver and is undergoing surgery today. Thank you!
Today's Readings:1 Tim 6:2c-12Ps 49:6-10, 17-20Luke 8:1-3http://www.usccb.org/nab/091809.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_18.mp3
Finding true contentment
Do you have, as today's first reading puts it, "religion with contentment"? Or are you dissatisfied with any of your religious experiences? Certainly there are reasons for discontent. There's always room for improvement in how the liturgy of Mass is provided or in how the parish offers ministry or in how the clergy and/or staff work together. Wrong-doings that we witness should make us so uncomfortable that we can't ignore them; our discontent should stir us into action to bring God's kingdom into the situation.
Being uncomfortable with what's wrong is very good. Being discontent with what's right is quite a different matter. The difference is pointed out by St. Paul. Some people use religion as a means of gain because they are not content with what God has already given them. For example, in the Church there are people who get into leadership roles in order to benefit themselves more than to serve others. Envy, rivalry, insults, and evil suspicions are typical results.
The same is true in our personal lives. If it seems like we're missing something, if there's something we long for but do not have, and if we don't turn to God to fill the void, we become driven by our unmet needs. We become self-centered and conceited. We hurt those who have what we lack, jealous of them, cutting them down because we feel inferior. We become greedy, loving money because of how we can use it to satisfy our selfish desires.
Corruption in one's thoughts – and therefore in behaviors – develops when one is deprived of the truth. The truth is: Religion with contentment is a great gain. So how do we gain contentment?
It starts with keeping our eyes on Jesus. Is he the center of our lives? Do we remain centered on him? Or have we shoved him into a magic genie lamp, rubbing him the right way only when we want to get something out of him?
What are we longing for when we feel discontent? God is our provider, but it's a partnership. If he's placed a desire in our heart, then he will satisfy our longing when we cooperate with his plans. The timing must remain in his control, the method of achieving the goal must be morally right, and the path to reach the object of our longing must increase our holiness during the journey.
Feel sorry for those who are envious, insulting, and overly suspicious, because these behaviors are signs that they don't have enough of God. What a miserable, lonely, unhappy way to exist! We can help them by showing them our Christ-centered joy. Yes, this will make them even more envious, and yes this might initially cause their corrupted hearts to respond to us unlovingly, but when we persist in turning to God for the love we need, we will have the endurance to continue giving them the love they need.
When we do that, our discontentment dissolves inside God's abundant love. We are content, not because of what others do or don't do, but because of what God has done and is doing and will do.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Thursday, September 17, 2009
How love gives us victory over sin
Good News ReflectionThursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary TimeSeptember 17, 2009
Today's Saint: Robert BellarminePray for RCIA Catechumens:http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/RobertBellarmine.htm
Today's Readings:1 Tim 4:12-16Ps 111:7-10 (with 2)Luke 7:36-50http://www.usccb.org/nab/091709.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_17.mp3
How love gives us victory over sin
Have you ever thought about HOW sins are forgiven? Jesus took our sins to the cross – they died with him there. But is that the whole "how" of it? No. As today's first reading points out, we have to bring ourselves TO this salvation. And how does that happen?
It's more than just saying, "I'm sorry." It's more than going to confession and doing the penance that the priest assigns. It's still easy to say "sorry" and then commit the sin again. It's easy to say, "Oops, I shouldn't have done that" without truly repenting – i.e., without changing how we react to the challenges in life that caused us to sin in the first place.
Jesus explains in the Gospel reading why the woman's (or anyone's) many sins are forgiven: "because of her great love."
Love is what prevents us from sinning. Any of us who genuinely want to be loving but sin anyway are usually unaware, at the moment of decision, that our behavior is hurting anyone. We don't sin out of deliberate malice. If we truly love, then we truly care and as soon as we discover that we've caused pain, we're motivated by love to undo the damage as best as we can (unless we love our pride more than we love those who were hurt by our sin).
If we truly love, when others sin against us, our love for them motivates us to give them the benefit of the doubt; we assume that they didn't really, deliberately intend to hurt us. Malice was not their motive any more than it's ours. They were reacting to something internal that needs healing, perhaps, or they made a poor decision based on ignorance or short-sightedness or distraction. Realizing this makes it easier to forgive them. We can pray with our Lord on the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they don't understand what they're doing."
I'm not excusing sin. God holds everyone accountable for their behavior. We are all capable of paying attention to what we're doing and discerning whether or not it's motivated by love. With God's help, we CAN stop reacting sinfully to the stimuli around us, and we CAN choose to act in love. We can learn from our mistakes, overcome our ignorances, look beyond our self-centered little worlds, and prevent distractions from deafening our consciences.
When we make love our highest priority, temptation has less and less power over us, because caring about others distracts us from the decision to sin. And when the love that we have for others makes us regret the sins we do commit, we are healed, our sins are forgiven, and we're much less likely to make the same bad decisions in the future. Furthermore, the Sacrament of Reconciliation empowers us to remain in love by a special grace from God.
When we love, our faith has become our salvation. As it was for the woman in the Gospel, Jesus says to us: "Now you can go in peace."
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Saint: Robert BellarminePray for RCIA Catechumens:http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/RobertBellarmine.htm
Today's Readings:1 Tim 4:12-16Ps 111:7-10 (with 2)Luke 7:36-50http://www.usccb.org/nab/091709.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_17.mp3
How love gives us victory over sin
Have you ever thought about HOW sins are forgiven? Jesus took our sins to the cross – they died with him there. But is that the whole "how" of it? No. As today's first reading points out, we have to bring ourselves TO this salvation. And how does that happen?
It's more than just saying, "I'm sorry." It's more than going to confession and doing the penance that the priest assigns. It's still easy to say "sorry" and then commit the sin again. It's easy to say, "Oops, I shouldn't have done that" without truly repenting – i.e., without changing how we react to the challenges in life that caused us to sin in the first place.
Jesus explains in the Gospel reading why the woman's (or anyone's) many sins are forgiven: "because of her great love."
Love is what prevents us from sinning. Any of us who genuinely want to be loving but sin anyway are usually unaware, at the moment of decision, that our behavior is hurting anyone. We don't sin out of deliberate malice. If we truly love, then we truly care and as soon as we discover that we've caused pain, we're motivated by love to undo the damage as best as we can (unless we love our pride more than we love those who were hurt by our sin).
If we truly love, when others sin against us, our love for them motivates us to give them the benefit of the doubt; we assume that they didn't really, deliberately intend to hurt us. Malice was not their motive any more than it's ours. They were reacting to something internal that needs healing, perhaps, or they made a poor decision based on ignorance or short-sightedness or distraction. Realizing this makes it easier to forgive them. We can pray with our Lord on the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they don't understand what they're doing."
I'm not excusing sin. God holds everyone accountable for their behavior. We are all capable of paying attention to what we're doing and discerning whether or not it's motivated by love. With God's help, we CAN stop reacting sinfully to the stimuli around us, and we CAN choose to act in love. We can learn from our mistakes, overcome our ignorances, look beyond our self-centered little worlds, and prevent distractions from deafening our consciences.
When we make love our highest priority, temptation has less and less power over us, because caring about others distracts us from the decision to sin. And when the love that we have for others makes us regret the sins we do commit, we are healed, our sins are forgiven, and we're much less likely to make the same bad decisions in the future. Furthermore, the Sacrament of Reconciliation empowers us to remain in love by a special grace from God.
When we love, our faith has become our salvation. As it was for the woman in the Gospel, Jesus says to us: "Now you can go in peace."
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Standing strong as pillars of truth
Good News ReflectionWednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary TimeSeptember 16, 2009
Today's Memorial: Saints Cornelius and CyprianPray for your friendships:http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Cyprian.htm
Today's Readings:1 Tim 3:14-16Ps 111:1-6Luke 7:31-35http://www.usccb.org/nab/091609.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_16.mp3
Standing strong as pillars of truth
Today's first reading speaks of God's household, the Church, which is the "pillar and foundation of truth." This is the Catholic Church. Remember that originally there was only one Church, one Christianity. It wasn't until relatively recently that we began to call ourselves "Catholic" to emphasize the original, universal nature of our Church and to differentiate ourselves from those who are separated from this Church.
As Timothy points out, this original Church is the foundation of Christian religion, responsible for holding the truth up for all the world to see. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, this Church has retained the fullest body of truth, protected for 2000 years through the unbroken succession of ordination to the priesthood. Even when popes and bishops were corrupt or politically controlled, the Church Magisterium continued to protect true doctrine.
Remember, too, that Jesus IS the truth (and the way and the life). Due to retaining the original practice of the transubstantiation of bread and wine into the miraculous Eucharist, the Catholic Church is the pillar that holds Jesus up – in the fullest possible way – for the world to see.
However, for the world to recognize the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and in the other six sacraments and in the teachings of the Church and in our parish communities, we – each individual Catholic – must behave like Christ. When we don't, we build a false image of the Church using walls that block others from seeing the truth.
Conversely, when we repent and let others see us change, we reinforcing the wall that protects people from the falsehoods that would otherwise keep them away from Christ.
Being a Catholic Christian is not for wimps. It takes Godly strength to stand firm as a pillar of truth. And from where do we get this strength? From the Eucharist, which is the full embodiment of Jesus the Truth, and from the other sacraments.
Holiness is not easy, nor is it convenient. It's a choice, actually a series of choices that we face every day. This choice is what makes us either "like children" complaining to their playmates, as described by Jesus in today's Gospel reading, or mature Catholics who accept the wisdom of God.
By growing more mature in the use of the sacraments, we are purified so that we can live as pillars of truth. And by growing more mature in the understanding of the Church's teachings, we become part of the strong foundation of the Church; our personal pillars won't crumble under pressure, attacks, or the earthquakes of confusion. There is no good excuse for failing to educate ourselves in the teachings of the Catholic Faith, especially today when the Catechism is online and the documents which explain Church teachings are easily available.
Let us not be complaining children who reject the authority of the Church and its protection of the truth. If we have any objections to its teachings, it's only because we've not researched what is really being said and we've not asked the Holy Spirit to help us understand it. May our lives, our Church leaders, and our parishes always be witnesses of the truth! Amen!
The online Catechism is found on the Vatican's website: http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htmOr look up any topic in its index:http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/index/a.htm
Would you like me to walk you through the Church's documents? See my easy online courses! http://catholicdr.com/e-Classroom/index-courses.html
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Memorial: Saints Cornelius and CyprianPray for your friendships:http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Cyprian.htm
Today's Readings:1 Tim 3:14-16Ps 111:1-6Luke 7:31-35http://www.usccb.org/nab/091609.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_16.mp3
Standing strong as pillars of truth
Today's first reading speaks of God's household, the Church, which is the "pillar and foundation of truth." This is the Catholic Church. Remember that originally there was only one Church, one Christianity. It wasn't until relatively recently that we began to call ourselves "Catholic" to emphasize the original, universal nature of our Church and to differentiate ourselves from those who are separated from this Church.
As Timothy points out, this original Church is the foundation of Christian religion, responsible for holding the truth up for all the world to see. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, this Church has retained the fullest body of truth, protected for 2000 years through the unbroken succession of ordination to the priesthood. Even when popes and bishops were corrupt or politically controlled, the Church Magisterium continued to protect true doctrine.
Remember, too, that Jesus IS the truth (and the way and the life). Due to retaining the original practice of the transubstantiation of bread and wine into the miraculous Eucharist, the Catholic Church is the pillar that holds Jesus up – in the fullest possible way – for the world to see.
However, for the world to recognize the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and in the other six sacraments and in the teachings of the Church and in our parish communities, we – each individual Catholic – must behave like Christ. When we don't, we build a false image of the Church using walls that block others from seeing the truth.
Conversely, when we repent and let others see us change, we reinforcing the wall that protects people from the falsehoods that would otherwise keep them away from Christ.
Being a Catholic Christian is not for wimps. It takes Godly strength to stand firm as a pillar of truth. And from where do we get this strength? From the Eucharist, which is the full embodiment of Jesus the Truth, and from the other sacraments.
Holiness is not easy, nor is it convenient. It's a choice, actually a series of choices that we face every day. This choice is what makes us either "like children" complaining to their playmates, as described by Jesus in today's Gospel reading, or mature Catholics who accept the wisdom of God.
By growing more mature in the use of the sacraments, we are purified so that we can live as pillars of truth. And by growing more mature in the understanding of the Church's teachings, we become part of the strong foundation of the Church; our personal pillars won't crumble under pressure, attacks, or the earthquakes of confusion. There is no good excuse for failing to educate ourselves in the teachings of the Catholic Faith, especially today when the Catechism is online and the documents which explain Church teachings are easily available.
Let us not be complaining children who reject the authority of the Church and its protection of the truth. If we have any objections to its teachings, it's only because we've not researched what is really being said and we've not asked the Holy Spirit to help us understand it. May our lives, our Church leaders, and our parishes always be witnesses of the truth! Amen!
The online Catechism is found on the Vatican's website: http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htmOr look up any topic in its index:http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/index/a.htm
Would you like me to walk you through the Church's documents? See my easy online courses! http://catholicdr.com/e-Classroom/index-courses.html
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
God wants to embrace you in your sorrows
Good News ReflectionTuesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary TimeSeptember 15, 2009
Today's Memorial: Our Lady of SorrowsA prayer for our sorrows and sufferings as an offering of love:http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Sorrows.htm
For a printer-ready copy of "Your Tears Are Precious to God", which is an alternative reflection for today and is useful in RCIA and in bereavement ministry, please visit Catholic Digital Resources at http://catholicdr.com/calendar/September/sorrows.htm.
Today's Readings:1 Tim 3:1-13Ps 101:1-3, 5-6John 19:25-27 or Luke 2:33-35http://www.usccb.org/nab/091509.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_15.mp3
God wants to embrace you in your sorrows
What's the purpose of your tears when you cry? Usually, my tears mean I want something to change and I'm not going to be happy until it does change. But that only results in swollen eyes and messy tissues.
But turn it into a prayer and our sorrow becomes very valuable!
It's healthy to get emotional and pour our sadness into a conversation with God. Our tears are not bullets that shoot our frustrations heavenward in order to force God to hurry up and make things better –¬ even though it can feel that way. In our sorrows, each tear is itself a prayer. When you're tired of using words, just cry.
If tears were not prayer-diamonds, why would our Blessed Mother cry in heaven? Why would she be Our Lady of Sorrows? Isn't heaven a place of joy, where there is no more sorrow? Yet, Mary cries because people are being hurt by sin in the world. She cries for you when you turn away from her Son. She cries with you when you cry because of the sins of others.
Tears shed during prayer time are valuable to God because this is a moment of surrender. We've quit trying to change what we cannot change. We might still want to, but while we're crying we have stopped trying. In that humble surrender, we give God clearance to move in and comfort us.
When the Father heard his Son's prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, he didn't change what Jesus would have to endure, but he did comfort him. He embraced his Son with tender compassion and sympathy. He sent angels to him for additional support. This gave Jesus the strength to choose obedience and say, "Your will be done, not mine" and to endure his sufferings.
Jesus knew from the Psalms, which he had memorized as a boy, that God would rescue him. Now he also knew it in his heart while he cried. The resurrection would come, the promises would be fulfilled, and by surrendering to the Father's comforting strength, Jesus would be able to travel the path of pain that would eventually lead to the promised victory.
In John 19:25-27, we see this comforting embrace repeat itself in the relationship between Mary and the disciple John. This was Mary's moment of greatest sorrow; she grieved with a heartbreak that only mothers can know. John grieved over the suffering and loss of his dearest friend. And Jesus, despite his own sorrow-filled pain, passed his Father's inheritance of comfort on to his mother and friend by permanently unifying their mutual embrace into a bond of supportive friendship.
It's in Christian community that we receive God's comfort. He is giving you caring friends who will embrace you with his love. If you don't know who these comfort-companions are, look closer and reach out wider; they are here for you. God wants to embrace you through them to give you his tender compassion and sympathy.
See also our Bereavement Wordbytes at GNM: http://wordbytes.org/bereavementand leaflets at CDR: http://catholicdr.com/faithbuilders/bereavement
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Memorial: Our Lady of SorrowsA prayer for our sorrows and sufferings as an offering of love:http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Sorrows.htm
For a printer-ready copy of "Your Tears Are Precious to God", which is an alternative reflection for today and is useful in RCIA and in bereavement ministry, please visit Catholic Digital Resources at http://catholicdr.com/calendar/September/sorrows.htm.
Today's Readings:1 Tim 3:1-13Ps 101:1-3, 5-6John 19:25-27 or Luke 2:33-35http://www.usccb.org/nab/091509.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_15.mp3
God wants to embrace you in your sorrows
What's the purpose of your tears when you cry? Usually, my tears mean I want something to change and I'm not going to be happy until it does change. But that only results in swollen eyes and messy tissues.
But turn it into a prayer and our sorrow becomes very valuable!
It's healthy to get emotional and pour our sadness into a conversation with God. Our tears are not bullets that shoot our frustrations heavenward in order to force God to hurry up and make things better –¬ even though it can feel that way. In our sorrows, each tear is itself a prayer. When you're tired of using words, just cry.
If tears were not prayer-diamonds, why would our Blessed Mother cry in heaven? Why would she be Our Lady of Sorrows? Isn't heaven a place of joy, where there is no more sorrow? Yet, Mary cries because people are being hurt by sin in the world. She cries for you when you turn away from her Son. She cries with you when you cry because of the sins of others.
Tears shed during prayer time are valuable to God because this is a moment of surrender. We've quit trying to change what we cannot change. We might still want to, but while we're crying we have stopped trying. In that humble surrender, we give God clearance to move in and comfort us.
When the Father heard his Son's prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, he didn't change what Jesus would have to endure, but he did comfort him. He embraced his Son with tender compassion and sympathy. He sent angels to him for additional support. This gave Jesus the strength to choose obedience and say, "Your will be done, not mine" and to endure his sufferings.
Jesus knew from the Psalms, which he had memorized as a boy, that God would rescue him. Now he also knew it in his heart while he cried. The resurrection would come, the promises would be fulfilled, and by surrendering to the Father's comforting strength, Jesus would be able to travel the path of pain that would eventually lead to the promised victory.
In John 19:25-27, we see this comforting embrace repeat itself in the relationship between Mary and the disciple John. This was Mary's moment of greatest sorrow; she grieved with a heartbreak that only mothers can know. John grieved over the suffering and loss of his dearest friend. And Jesus, despite his own sorrow-filled pain, passed his Father's inheritance of comfort on to his mother and friend by permanently unifying their mutual embrace into a bond of supportive friendship.
It's in Christian community that we receive God's comfort. He is giving you caring friends who will embrace you with his love. If you don't know who these comfort-companions are, look closer and reach out wider; they are here for you. God wants to embrace you through them to give you his tender compassion and sympathy.
See also our Bereavement Wordbytes at GNM: http://wordbytes.org/bereavementand leaflets at CDR: http://catholicdr.com/faithbuilders/bereavement
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Imitating the humility of Jesus when we feel like complaining
Good News ReflectionFeast of the Exaltation of the Holy CrossSeptember 14, 2009
To order a printer-ready copy of "The Holy Cross Rises Above Destruction", which is an alternative reflection for today and is useful in bereavement ministry or times of natural or criminal disasters, please visit Catholic Digital Resources at http://catholicdr.com/calendar/September/triumphcross.htm.
Today's Readings:Numbers 21:4b-9Ps 78:1bc-2, 34-38 (with 7b)Phil 2:6-11John 3:13-17http://www.usccb.org/nab/091409.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_14.mp3
Imitating the humility of Jesus when we feel like complaining
How humble was Jesus? Just think: Jesus is God and we must humble ourselves before him, and yet he humbles himself before us! So says today's second reading. And the Gospel tells us that Jesus came DOWN from heaven. That's humility! Would you or I leave the comforts of heavenly perfection to enter into the bad, mean world to mingle with bad, mean people?
What if the Second Coming of Christ were to happen later today and Jesus appears in front of you and asks you to choose between going to heaven now or staying on earth a while longer to help unbelievers find salvation before it's too late. Would you say yes? I hope I never get asked that question!
We have a natural longing for heaven. We were created to live there with God for all eternity. It's our true home, and instinctively we know it. That's why we complain when we experience something unheavenly here on earth. We expect perfection, even though it's only possible in heaven. We cry, "God, I'm tired of this trial! When are You going to make it end?" (That's what got the Israelites into trouble in the desert; see today's first reading.)
Have you ever felt like saying, "God, You obviously don't understand how bad this problem is for me. Can't you see I'm suffering here? Oh God, when are you going to make that person change so that I can enjoy my life better?"
Complaining is an indication that we've let our heavenly expectations push aside our earthly need to trust God.
Worse, when we complain to others, we're spreading our distrust. To cure this, we should take our complaints directly to God. No one else. (The only exception is a counselor or friend who can help us become more holy and healed.) We need to let our complaints disappear into God's compassionate heart. Then our frustration dissipates. It's absolutely amazing! Try it!
"Do not forget the works of the Lord," today's responsorial Psalm reminds us. Complaints mean that we've forgotten how much God is already blessing us. At such times, it's pride, not humility, that's controlling our attitudes.
Did Jesus ever complain? He got upset sometimes, but he never complained, not even when they beat him and nailed him to the cross. Instead, he prayed for those who were the cause of his troubles: "Father, forgive them, because they don't know what they're doing."
Because of this absolute love, we know without a doubt that "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world." Lord, help us to humbly stop complaining and condemning, so that we can be holy like Jesus. Amen!
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
To order a printer-ready copy of "The Holy Cross Rises Above Destruction", which is an alternative reflection for today and is useful in bereavement ministry or times of natural or criminal disasters, please visit Catholic Digital Resources at http://catholicdr.com/calendar/September/triumphcross.htm.
Today's Readings:Numbers 21:4b-9Ps 78:1bc-2, 34-38 (with 7b)Phil 2:6-11John 3:13-17http://www.usccb.org/nab/091409.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_14.mp3
Imitating the humility of Jesus when we feel like complaining
How humble was Jesus? Just think: Jesus is God and we must humble ourselves before him, and yet he humbles himself before us! So says today's second reading. And the Gospel tells us that Jesus came DOWN from heaven. That's humility! Would you or I leave the comforts of heavenly perfection to enter into the bad, mean world to mingle with bad, mean people?
What if the Second Coming of Christ were to happen later today and Jesus appears in front of you and asks you to choose between going to heaven now or staying on earth a while longer to help unbelievers find salvation before it's too late. Would you say yes? I hope I never get asked that question!
We have a natural longing for heaven. We were created to live there with God for all eternity. It's our true home, and instinctively we know it. That's why we complain when we experience something unheavenly here on earth. We expect perfection, even though it's only possible in heaven. We cry, "God, I'm tired of this trial! When are You going to make it end?" (That's what got the Israelites into trouble in the desert; see today's first reading.)
Have you ever felt like saying, "God, You obviously don't understand how bad this problem is for me. Can't you see I'm suffering here? Oh God, when are you going to make that person change so that I can enjoy my life better?"
Complaining is an indication that we've let our heavenly expectations push aside our earthly need to trust God.
Worse, when we complain to others, we're spreading our distrust. To cure this, we should take our complaints directly to God. No one else. (The only exception is a counselor or friend who can help us become more holy and healed.) We need to let our complaints disappear into God's compassionate heart. Then our frustration dissipates. It's absolutely amazing! Try it!
"Do not forget the works of the Lord," today's responsorial Psalm reminds us. Complaints mean that we've forgotten how much God is already blessing us. At such times, it's pride, not humility, that's controlling our attitudes.
Did Jesus ever complain? He got upset sometimes, but he never complained, not even when they beat him and nailed him to the cross. Instead, he prayed for those who were the cause of his troubles: "Father, forgive them, because they don't know what they're doing."
Because of this absolute love, we know without a doubt that "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world." Lord, help us to humbly stop complaining and condemning, so that we can be holy like Jesus. Amen!
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Good News ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: September 20, 200925th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Good News ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: September 20, 200925th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: For professionally published, printable copies of this reflection, please go to Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/September/25thB.htm - Preview a sample
Next Sunday's Readings:Wis 2:12, 17-20Ps 54:3-6, 8James 3:16--4:3Mark 9:30-37http://www.usccb.org/nab/092009.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_20.mp3
In next Sunday's readings, we face wickedness: jealousy destroying the good, selfishness causing harm to others, and pride squashing those who get in the way.
The first scripture covers the evil doings of outsiders who oppressed the Israelite nation. In the Gospel reading, Jesus predicts the evil doings of spiritual outsiders who were fighting against his ministry. The letter of James addresses the worst wickedness of all: the battle within the parish – Christians against Christians.
Jealousy and selfish passions are usually the root beneath every scandal in the Church, every division on the parish staff, every discord among ministries, every disappointed volunteer who feels pushed out, every broken relationship in Christian families, and every attitude that chases weaker Catholics away from the faith – it's all wicked!
To get at the root of any divisive problem, look for self-centered ambition. Honestly and objectively identify even the most subtle forms of it. When you see it in others, do you feel sorrow for them? If not, why not? The answer to that probably lies in your own self-centered pride.
Jesus provided the cure for this: "If anyone wishes to be first" (which is a desire motivated by selfish ambition) "you must become the servant of all."
Selfish ambition is sinful because it tries to grab success away from others. James pointed out that whatever we're ambitious for, if it's good, we can have simply by asking God for it and working in collaboration with the Holy Spirit to achieve our goals – but not if we want it only to satisfy our personal, selfish passions.
God gives us what we pray for when it will benefit the parish community or the entire family or those we are called to serve in our ministries. When we desire something for the sake of how it will help others (rather than just for our own benefit), this desire is pure, peaceable, gentle, compliant, and full of mercy and will produce good fruits.
Questions for Personal Reflection:When have you suffered from the jealousies and selfish ambitions of others in the Church? How did this affect your faith? Did it motivate you to avoid committing the same sin?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:Identify how jealousy and selfish ambition have been the underlying cause behind one problem you've witnessed or personally experienced in the Church. What does your story teach about how to deal with such scandals with a pure heart, a peaceful response, gentleness, mercy, and good fruits that turn a tragedy into a triumph?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: For professionally published, printable copies of this reflection, please go to Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/September/25thB.htm - Preview a sample
Next Sunday's Readings:Wis 2:12, 17-20Ps 54:3-6, 8James 3:16--4:3Mark 9:30-37http://www.usccb.org/nab/092009.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_20.mp3
In next Sunday's readings, we face wickedness: jealousy destroying the good, selfishness causing harm to others, and pride squashing those who get in the way.
The first scripture covers the evil doings of outsiders who oppressed the Israelite nation. In the Gospel reading, Jesus predicts the evil doings of spiritual outsiders who were fighting against his ministry. The letter of James addresses the worst wickedness of all: the battle within the parish – Christians against Christians.
Jealousy and selfish passions are usually the root beneath every scandal in the Church, every division on the parish staff, every discord among ministries, every disappointed volunteer who feels pushed out, every broken relationship in Christian families, and every attitude that chases weaker Catholics away from the faith – it's all wicked!
To get at the root of any divisive problem, look for self-centered ambition. Honestly and objectively identify even the most subtle forms of it. When you see it in others, do you feel sorrow for them? If not, why not? The answer to that probably lies in your own self-centered pride.
Jesus provided the cure for this: "If anyone wishes to be first" (which is a desire motivated by selfish ambition) "you must become the servant of all."
Selfish ambition is sinful because it tries to grab success away from others. James pointed out that whatever we're ambitious for, if it's good, we can have simply by asking God for it and working in collaboration with the Holy Spirit to achieve our goals – but not if we want it only to satisfy our personal, selfish passions.
God gives us what we pray for when it will benefit the parish community or the entire family or those we are called to serve in our ministries. When we desire something for the sake of how it will help others (rather than just for our own benefit), this desire is pure, peaceable, gentle, compliant, and full of mercy and will produce good fruits.
Questions for Personal Reflection:When have you suffered from the jealousies and selfish ambitions of others in the Church? How did this affect your faith? Did it motivate you to avoid committing the same sin?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:Identify how jealousy and selfish ambition have been the underlying cause behind one problem you've witnessed or personally experienced in the Church. What does your story teach about how to deal with such scandals with a pure heart, a peaceful response, gentleness, mercy, and good fruits that turn a tragedy into a triumph?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Learning to avoid old ruts
Good News ReflectionFriday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary TimeSeptember 11, 2009
Today's Readings:1 Tim 1:1-2, 12-14Ps 16:1b-2a,5,7-8,11Luke 6:39-42http://www.usccb.org/nab/091109.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_11.mp3
Learning to avoid old ruts
Think of a person you wish you could push along on their faith journey, someone who's spiritual eyesight is poor. Today's Gospel reading teaches us how to be like Christ when we try to help.
A blind person, in the analogy that Jesus makes, is anyone who cannot see things in the light of truth. Spiritual blindness can be due to sin or to ignorance, but it's always dangerous. There are many, many wrong decisions to bump into, mistakes that cause more wounds, and temptations that lead the blind person farther away from God.
Because we care, we want to help people who are spiritually blind. Who have you been trying to lead into the forgiving and healing arms of God?
However, when we use methods that are not Christ-like, we are blind guides and we trip into pitfalls, often dragging others down with us. Our path is riddled with old ruts that have been deepened by prolonged use, i.e., old behaviors and habits that we forged apart from Jesus.
We need to make a conscious effort to stay close to Jesus, asking him to point out these ruts as we forge a new, holy path with him. If we neglect to do this, we naturally slip back into old ways of reacting, thinking, assuming, and dealing with the blindnesses of others.
In our blindness, we can't see the harm of our old ruts, and that's what makes them dangerous – not only to us, but to those we're trying to help. Becoming like Christ means walking with him long enough and fervently enough to channel a new path while the old ruts get filled up from lack of use.
Here's a very common old rut that we're usually too blind to see: As disciples of Christ, we will never be superior to the teacher, yet often we think we are. We behave as if we know better than God does about how to solve our problems, how to help others change, and how quickly it all should happen. But becoming like our teacher means becoming fully trained. That's a lot of discipline! Remember that even Jesus needed to learn before he could serve. What was he doing during all those hidden years before he began his salvation ministry? Just sawing wood?
He certainly learned from the sawdust splinters! Will we? There's always something that blocks our view of the truth about the people we'd like to help. What's blinding you from seeing the image of God in them? What old rut do you blindly slip into whenever you deal with them?
When we open our eyes to see our own ruts, we're removing the wooden beams that Jesus warned about. Once we've been trained on the new path long enough to stay clear of the old ruts, we understand how to imitate Jesus in leading others to his light. That's when we know how to remove the splinters that make them close their eyes.
In the meantime, any good we do for others is miraculous. It's God shining his light through us despite us.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Readings:1 Tim 1:1-2, 12-14Ps 16:1b-2a,5,7-8,11Luke 6:39-42http://www.usccb.org/nab/091109.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_11.mp3
Learning to avoid old ruts
Think of a person you wish you could push along on their faith journey, someone who's spiritual eyesight is poor. Today's Gospel reading teaches us how to be like Christ when we try to help.
A blind person, in the analogy that Jesus makes, is anyone who cannot see things in the light of truth. Spiritual blindness can be due to sin or to ignorance, but it's always dangerous. There are many, many wrong decisions to bump into, mistakes that cause more wounds, and temptations that lead the blind person farther away from God.
Because we care, we want to help people who are spiritually blind. Who have you been trying to lead into the forgiving and healing arms of God?
However, when we use methods that are not Christ-like, we are blind guides and we trip into pitfalls, often dragging others down with us. Our path is riddled with old ruts that have been deepened by prolonged use, i.e., old behaviors and habits that we forged apart from Jesus.
We need to make a conscious effort to stay close to Jesus, asking him to point out these ruts as we forge a new, holy path with him. If we neglect to do this, we naturally slip back into old ways of reacting, thinking, assuming, and dealing with the blindnesses of others.
In our blindness, we can't see the harm of our old ruts, and that's what makes them dangerous – not only to us, but to those we're trying to help. Becoming like Christ means walking with him long enough and fervently enough to channel a new path while the old ruts get filled up from lack of use.
Here's a very common old rut that we're usually too blind to see: As disciples of Christ, we will never be superior to the teacher, yet often we think we are. We behave as if we know better than God does about how to solve our problems, how to help others change, and how quickly it all should happen. But becoming like our teacher means becoming fully trained. That's a lot of discipline! Remember that even Jesus needed to learn before he could serve. What was he doing during all those hidden years before he began his salvation ministry? Just sawing wood?
He certainly learned from the sawdust splinters! Will we? There's always something that blocks our view of the truth about the people we'd like to help. What's blinding you from seeing the image of God in them? What old rut do you blindly slip into whenever you deal with them?
When we open our eyes to see our own ruts, we're removing the wooden beams that Jesus warned about. Once we've been trained on the new path long enough to stay clear of the old ruts, we understand how to imitate Jesus in leading others to his light. That's when we know how to remove the splinters that make them close their eyes.
In the meantime, any good we do for others is miraculous. It's God shining his light through us despite us.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Dealing with the enemy
Good News ReflectionThursday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary TimeSeptember 10, 2009
Today's Readings:Col 3:12-17Ps 150:1b-6Luke 6:27-38http://www.usccb.org/nab/091009.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_10.mp3
Dealing with the enemy
Tomorrow is the 8th anniversary of the day terrorists changed world events by attacking the U.S. At first, we didn't know who was demolishing the World Trade Towers. Newscasters compared it to the attack on Pearl Harbor; one remarked: "At least back then, we knew who our enemy was."
As Christians, we always know the identity of the enemy. As Christians, we know that the humans who behave as our enemies are really only victims and weapons of the true enemy, the Evil One and his spiritual forces of darkness. This is true whether it's the Taliban in Afghanistan or the family member who has disrupted your home.
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus gives us the weapons of war that will crush the true enemy: Love your human enemies, he said. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who attack you.
But how can love be an evil-destroying weapon?
Evil is really only a void, the absence of God, the absence of love. The void causes extreme inner discomfort, which triggers anger and hatred due to the frustration of not being loved enough. The sad irony of this is that the love that's desired now has no opportunity to fill the void. And where love is blocked, evil spreads like a poisonous weed.
But you can give love to those who are being unloving. (Remember, you have the supernatural love of God within you; rely on that!) You can do good to those who do evil. You can replace curses with blessings. And thus the void gets voided.
Jesus said, "Forgive, and you will be forgiven." No terrorist, no evil-doer of any sort, can destroy the peace that comes from being forgiven by God. When faced with a war in the world or in our homes, we find our peace by praying: "Father, forgive them, for they don't really know what they're doing. Bring all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy."
St. Paul wrote in today's first reading: "You are God's chosen ones. You are the beloved. Therefore, clothe yourselves with heartfelt mercy and compassion." He repeated what Jesus had said: "Forgive whatever grievances you have against others. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you."
Mercy is love that is not deserved. Forgiveness makes us merciful. When the door to love is closed, our acts of mercy deliver God's love like a secret weapon. Will it make a difference? We cannot force someone to open up to God and receive his healing and his purifying love, but by using the weapons of love that Jesus has given us, we defeat the real enemy. That definitely makes a difference, even if we don't always get to see it.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Readings:Col 3:12-17Ps 150:1b-6Luke 6:27-38http://www.usccb.org/nab/091009.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_10.mp3
Dealing with the enemy
Tomorrow is the 8th anniversary of the day terrorists changed world events by attacking the U.S. At first, we didn't know who was demolishing the World Trade Towers. Newscasters compared it to the attack on Pearl Harbor; one remarked: "At least back then, we knew who our enemy was."
As Christians, we always know the identity of the enemy. As Christians, we know that the humans who behave as our enemies are really only victims and weapons of the true enemy, the Evil One and his spiritual forces of darkness. This is true whether it's the Taliban in Afghanistan or the family member who has disrupted your home.
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus gives us the weapons of war that will crush the true enemy: Love your human enemies, he said. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who attack you.
But how can love be an evil-destroying weapon?
Evil is really only a void, the absence of God, the absence of love. The void causes extreme inner discomfort, which triggers anger and hatred due to the frustration of not being loved enough. The sad irony of this is that the love that's desired now has no opportunity to fill the void. And where love is blocked, evil spreads like a poisonous weed.
But you can give love to those who are being unloving. (Remember, you have the supernatural love of God within you; rely on that!) You can do good to those who do evil. You can replace curses with blessings. And thus the void gets voided.
Jesus said, "Forgive, and you will be forgiven." No terrorist, no evil-doer of any sort, can destroy the peace that comes from being forgiven by God. When faced with a war in the world or in our homes, we find our peace by praying: "Father, forgive them, for they don't really know what they're doing. Bring all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy."
St. Paul wrote in today's first reading: "You are God's chosen ones. You are the beloved. Therefore, clothe yourselves with heartfelt mercy and compassion." He repeated what Jesus had said: "Forgive whatever grievances you have against others. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you."
Mercy is love that is not deserved. Forgiveness makes us merciful. When the door to love is closed, our acts of mercy deliver God's love like a secret weapon. Will it make a difference? We cannot force someone to open up to God and receive his healing and his purifying love, but by using the weapons of love that Jesus has given us, we defeat the real enemy. That definitely makes a difference, even if we don't always get to see it.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Living in higher realms
Good News ReflectionWednesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary TimeSeptember 9, 2009
Today's Saint: Peter ClaverPray for those suffering from the effects of slavery:http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/PeterClaver.htm
Today's Readings:Col 3:1-11Ps 145:2-3, 9-13abLuke 6:20-26http://www.usccb.org/nab/090909.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_09.mp3
Living in higher realms
To receive the blessings that Jesus mentions in the Beatitudes of today's Gospel reading, and to rise above the "woes" that he warns about, we have to set our hearts on what pertains to the higher realms, "what is above," as St. Paul says in the first reading.
Are we a new creation or not? When you were baptized, you were made holy, a new creation that was different from the solely human, sin-prone life into which you had been born. But that's not enough.
When we make a conscious decision to allow Jesus to be the Lord of our lives, our baptisms became more than a sacrament. They became a way of living. Every time we make this decision, Jesus takes our self-centered lifestyles and our trust in worldly wisdom to the cross of 2000 years ago – God does a time warp! And then he raises us to new life in the Easter power of his heaven-filled life.
Just because it doesn't FEEL or LOOK like we're experiencing a heaven-filled life doesn't mean that we're not. Heaven is within us until we physically die, at which time we'll enter into heaven (first purging out any remnant impurities, a process called "purgatory"). When the Father raised Jesus from the tomb, he took us with him! (There's that time warp again.) Our bodies have not yet received this blessing and our souls are not yet in heaven, but heaven is in our souls.
Everything we long for from God is already ours. If it doesn't seem so, the reason you can't feel it or see it is because you're approaching it from old ways, non-Christian ways, deadly ways. You're reacting with your flesh nature (your woundedness or your sinful tendencies), which belongs to this world, instead of with your soul, which belongs to heaven. Rather than re-act in old ways, act with Christ.
Look at Paul's checklist of what's worldly. Any of these that are still alive in us can be put to death by making the conscious decision to do its opposite and imitate Jesus: How we speak to others, how we speak about others, how we seek love from others, how we solve problems, how we get work done, how we participate in the Church, etc., can either be deadly or put to death in exchange for new life.
The immoral habit, for example, of gossiping can be replaced by praying for those we feel tempted to gossip about. Anger, fury, and malice can be replaced by doing a good deed for the one who's irritated us. Obscene language and lying can be replaced by taking a vow of silence except when speaking words that heal or uplift.
The choice is ours. Are we going to accept the life of Christ as our own or will we take the self-centered, very unheavenly path? We always have the choice. If we react to our circumstances, we're enslaved to the fallen humanity of our flesh nature, but when we stop, pray, discern and act with Christ, we become free to experience our baptized divine nature, which is the glory of the risen Christ.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Saint: Peter ClaverPray for those suffering from the effects of slavery:http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/PeterClaver.htm
Today's Readings:Col 3:1-11Ps 145:2-3, 9-13abLuke 6:20-26http://www.usccb.org/nab/090909.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_09.mp3
Living in higher realms
To receive the blessings that Jesus mentions in the Beatitudes of today's Gospel reading, and to rise above the "woes" that he warns about, we have to set our hearts on what pertains to the higher realms, "what is above," as St. Paul says in the first reading.
Are we a new creation or not? When you were baptized, you were made holy, a new creation that was different from the solely human, sin-prone life into which you had been born. But that's not enough.
When we make a conscious decision to allow Jesus to be the Lord of our lives, our baptisms became more than a sacrament. They became a way of living. Every time we make this decision, Jesus takes our self-centered lifestyles and our trust in worldly wisdom to the cross of 2000 years ago – God does a time warp! And then he raises us to new life in the Easter power of his heaven-filled life.
Just because it doesn't FEEL or LOOK like we're experiencing a heaven-filled life doesn't mean that we're not. Heaven is within us until we physically die, at which time we'll enter into heaven (first purging out any remnant impurities, a process called "purgatory"). When the Father raised Jesus from the tomb, he took us with him! (There's that time warp again.) Our bodies have not yet received this blessing and our souls are not yet in heaven, but heaven is in our souls.
Everything we long for from God is already ours. If it doesn't seem so, the reason you can't feel it or see it is because you're approaching it from old ways, non-Christian ways, deadly ways. You're reacting with your flesh nature (your woundedness or your sinful tendencies), which belongs to this world, instead of with your soul, which belongs to heaven. Rather than re-act in old ways, act with Christ.
Look at Paul's checklist of what's worldly. Any of these that are still alive in us can be put to death by making the conscious decision to do its opposite and imitate Jesus: How we speak to others, how we speak about others, how we seek love from others, how we solve problems, how we get work done, how we participate in the Church, etc., can either be deadly or put to death in exchange for new life.
The immoral habit, for example, of gossiping can be replaced by praying for those we feel tempted to gossip about. Anger, fury, and malice can be replaced by doing a good deed for the one who's irritated us. Obscene language and lying can be replaced by taking a vow of silence except when speaking words that heal or uplift.
The choice is ours. Are we going to accept the life of Christ as our own or will we take the self-centered, very unheavenly path? We always have the choice. If we react to our circumstances, we're enslaved to the fallen humanity of our flesh nature, but when we stop, pray, discern and act with Christ, we become free to experience our baptized divine nature, which is the glory of the risen Christ.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
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